Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko laid out his vision for Greater Eurasia at the SCO+ meeting in Astana on 4 July, BelTA has learned.
“I strongly believe that our unity and cohesion will be the best response to challenges in global politics. To do this, we must join forces in the organization’s area of responsibility. For this, we need to create Greater Eurasia,” the Belarusian leader said. He outlined several steps in this direction.
Adopting the Eurasian Charter
The head of state suggested developing a concept for the Eurasian Charter for Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. The idea of the charter was put forward at the international conference held in Minsk in October last year.
The head of state remarked that this conference in Minsk had already become an annual event focusing on regional security. “Moreover, we see it as a kind of Eurasian alternative to the transatlantic Munich Conference,” he noted. “Invitations to attend the Minsk conference, which is due this autumn, have already been sent to top officials of your ministries of foreign affairs. I would very much like representatives of your countries to participate in discussions on the charter. We believe it should be passed at the level of heads of state.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko seized the occasion to thank President of Russia Vladimir Putin for his recent words in support of this initiative.
Aligning integration processes
The president urged to give a bigger priority to various integration processes on the Eurasian continent.
In this regard, he called to waste no time and take action fast. “Today people in the world are confused and in the dark. The UN secretary-general has just said that the world should be bracing for more conflicts. People need direction and certainty. The SCO can do this. Yet, this must be done quickly, because time is not on our side. Today’s situation is different from what we had after the Second World War and the Cold War. We are pressed for time, thus we need to act now. If we do this, we will be ahead of the curve and the entire global community will thank us,” the Belarusian leader remarked.
He highlighted active integration in the post-Soviet space within the framework of the Union State, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Other Eurasian associations are gaining momentum, too, including ASEAN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League. Strategic infrastructure projects are being implemented to make the continent more interconnected, primarily China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s Northern Sea Route project. “It is necessary to find points of convergence of all these processes and reconcile the interests of all players,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar
Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested stepping up practical interaction across the entire agenda of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He suggested starting with finances.
“As a matter of priority Belarus suggests developing a mechanism for bilateral payments using national currencies and setting up a joint financial institution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” he stated.
The president noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries account for a considerable share of the world’s population and GDP. “Only our organization has two most powerful countries in its ranks – China and the Russian Federation. And we still have this awe for the U.S. dollar. Well, let’s finally take action to wean ourselves off the dollar. And you will see that those who have weaponized this currency will come to understand that things can no longer go on like this. We see this but we don’t take action. People are waiting,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Making digital technology more accessible
Another proposal concerns closer cooperation in digital technologies that are becoming part and parcel of our life. “Those digital technologies that benefit people and the economy, not the artificial intelligence that we are anxiously awaiting. Everyone should be able to benefit from technological progress, not just Western countries and transnational corporations,” the president said.
Contributing to the common cause of the SCO countries
Aleksandr Lukashenko assured that Belarus is ready to make whatever contribution it can to the common efforts of the SCO member countries in such areas as industry, trade, science, culture, and education.
The same applies to food security and agriculture, which the president specifically focused on. “People in the world are getting poorer, the hunger crisis is becoming more widespread,” he noted.
The president believes it would be a great idea to set up an AgroSCO exposition at Belarus’ largest agricultural exhibition Belagro. “Over many years of its history, this expo has earned a great reputation among the expert community. We will be glad to see all the countries of the SCO family in Minsk, as well as the presentation of the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training,” the president said.
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
